Systems and methods for access control

Abstract

The disclosure describes various systems and methods for access control. One such method includes providing an access control module that includes a base portion and an update portion. The update portion is electrically coupled to the base portion via a detachable electrical connector, and wherein operation of the access control module is based at least in part on an interaction between the base portion and the update portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for providing radio frequency identification access control, the method comprising:
 providing an access control module, wherein the access control module is capable of interacting at a first frequency and a second frequency; 
 providing an access credential operable at the first frequency and at the second frequency; 
 communicating data from the access credential to the access control module at the first frequency; 
 determining within the access control module whether the data was communicated using the first frequency or the second frequency; 
 wherein if the access control module is not capable of receiving at the first frequency, the method further comprises: 
 communicating the data from the access credential to the access control module at the second frequency; 
 determining within the access control module the frequency at which the data was communicated; 
 granting access by the access control module to an access point if the data received is sufficient to authorize access. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein where the data is insufficient to authorize access, denying access by the access control module to the access point. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the access control module is deployed locally to the access point. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first frequency is 125 KHz and the second frequency is 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein granting access by the access control module includes actuating a locking mechanism of a door. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the access control module includes a base portion and a first update portion, and wherein the method further comprises updating the access control module by replacing the first update portion with a second update portion. 
     
     
       7. An access control system comprising:
 an access credential operable to transmit data at a first frequency and a second frequency; 
 an access control module including a processor and a computer readable medium, wherein the computer readable medium includes instructions executable by the processor to: 
 determine the first frequency at which the data from the access credential is transmitted; 
 if the access control module is not capable of receiving at the first frequency, determine the second frequency at which the data from the access credential is transmitted; and 
 where the data is sufficient to authorize access, grant access to an access point. 
 
     
     
       8. The access control system of  claim 7 , wherein the first frequency is 125 KHz and the second frequency is 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
       9. The access control system of  claim 7 , wherein the computer readable medium further includes instructions executable by the processor to deny access where the data is insufficient to authorize access. 
     
     
       10. The access control system of  claim 7 , wherein the access control module is deployed locally to the access point. 
     
     
       11. The access control system of  claim 7 , wherein the access point is a door. 
     
     
       12. The access control system of  claim 7 , wherein the access control module includes a base portion and a first update portion, and wherein the access control module is updatable by replacing the first update portion with a second update portion. 
     
     
       13. The access control system of  claim 1 , wherein if the access control module is capable of receiving at the first frequency, acknowledging receipt of the data to the access credential, and where the data received is sufficient to authorize access, granting access by the access control module to an access point based on the data received at the first frequency. 
     
     
       14. The access control system of  claim 1 , wherein if the access control module is capable of receiving at the second frequency, acknowledging receipt of the data to the access credential. 
     
     
       15. The access control system of  claim 7 , wherein if capable of receiving at the first frequency, the access control module acknowledges receipt of the data to the access credential. 
     
     
       16. The access control system of  claim 7 , wherein if capable of receiving at the second frequency, the access control module acknowledges receipt of the data to the access credential.